Mumbai, Oct 7 (IANS): Congress president Sonia Gandhi will campaign for the Oct 15 Maharashtra assembly elections with public meetings Thursday, a party spokesperson said.

Gandhi's first rally will be held in Kolhapur in western Maharashtra, a traditional Congress bastion, at 12.30 p.m.

The same afternoon, she will reach tourist centre of Aurangabad in Marathwada region for the second rally at 3.30 p.m.

Gandhi's rallies will be preceded by party vice president Rahul Gandhi's two rallies - one in Mahad in Ratnagiri district and the other in Latur, again in Marathwada - Wednesday.

The spokesperson said Rahul Gandhi is likely to address at least one rally in each of the state's regions.

The Congress has made elaborate preparations for the rallies by both Gandhis as it hopes to bag power for the fourth consecutive term in the state where it was ruling in partnership with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) since 1999 till the alliance collapsed late last month.